Accusations Against Elmo Creator Kevin Clash: Hard to Face, But Less Hard to Believe

The suspicion, backlash and contempt that's been unleashed against both of the men who have accused Sesame Street's Kevin Clash did not surprise me. Nor did the compounding of baseless gossip-column nonsense against Sheldon Stephens- Clash's first victim- when he reaffirmed his allegations against Clash around November 18th, a day or two before the second victim came forward on November 20th.For most, the blind defense of Mr. Clash and the knee-jerk rejection of the claims of the young men he is alleged to have sexually abused are a result of ignorance. Simply put, most people don't understand the dynamics behind the sexual abuse of adolescents. Given that the subject of the complaints is a celebrity, and one whose inspiring personal story and universally loved character are involved, the rejection of the victims as money-hungry celebrity hunters just gets more tempting.But ignorance shouldn't stand unchallenged, regardless of an Internet onslaught that seeks to bury the truth in an avalanche of self-perpetuating nonsense. A few points worth mentioning:-The first victim to come forward (Stephens, whose name I only print because it's in the public sphere) announced his allegation on November 12th. A $125,000 settlement appears to have followed between Clash and Stephens, the result of which was conditioned on an official recantation of Stephens' allegation, so that he acknowledged only a sexual relationship when Stephens was at least 18. He then, around November 19th, reaffirmed that Clash had abused him as a minor. The Internet has since roiled with accusations of Stephens as a "flip-flopper" and someone who "can't make up his mind" about what happened to him.In fact, recantation and reaffirmation are extremely common in child sexual abuse cases. Studies I've seen put the rate of recantation around 25% (my personal experience reflected a higher rate even into adulthood). Of the many reasons for recanting valid allegations, unwanted attention and a backlash for accusing a famous and beloved figure are two that should be easy to understand. Of those who do recant, about half eventually reaffirm once the initial shock and backlash can be digested. Stephens was offered a settlement to take back the actionable facts, but has since reaffirmed and wants to undo it.-Stephens has a criminal record, another fact leveled against him as the story develops. But adolescents and young adults with the kinds of tough upbringings, emotional difficulties and other stressors that often lead them into criminality are exactly the kinds of victims predators look for and find. Kids or young adults who commit crimes suffer credibility deficits; they are less likely to be believed. Even if Clash wasn't specifically looking for a troubled kid easy to victimize, he was most likely to find someone like that on the chat rooms he was apparently visiting in search of younger sexual partners.-Neither of Clash's victims ever went to the police, another "gotcha" moment for those who don't want to believe them. But a very small percentage of victims- in both child and adult cases- ever tell authorities, let alone close in time to the abuse. In theory and apparently in cyber-space, "calling the cops" is as natural as ringing a fire alarm. In reality, doing so is remarkably daunting and frightening. Many victims figure they're powerless regardless of what they allege. Some don't even know if they've been legally victimized. Many blame themselves and feel they have no right to press charges. Most are terrified of everything that the criminal justice system is for almost everyone- a process both intimidating and unknown. And when sex is involved, particularly with older children who will both feel and be seen as more blameworthy for their "participation" in their victimization, the urge to tell authorities usually shuts down.I can't say with certainty that Clash is legally responsible for anything. But we know that he at least acknowledges a sexual relationship with a much younger individual, and that another young man has come forward with similar allegations. I have no desire to see Clash unjustly accused or punished. But neither should those accusing him suffer unjustly because of ignorance and cynicism.